Aviara - Golf in Natural Splendor

- “A course designed in harmony with nature”, is how Golf Digest described it. Honored in 2006 as Golf Magazine's number one golf resort in Southern California, and as Condé Nast Traveler readers' number one golf resort on the West Coast, this course has reaped accolades since it first opened in 1991.

This is the year-round Aviara golf course, a Four Seasons resort and the only one designed by Arnold Palmer in the San Diego area. It’s located in Carlsbad, California, just 30 minutes north of San Diego on the southern California coast.

And its setting is spectacular. Situated on a plateau overlooking the Batiquitos Lagoon, here at your feet, rolling valleys cradle a wildlife sanctuary and blooming flowers and babbling brooks complement the lush fairways. In fact, the native wildflowers grow right to the edge of these expansive and meticulously groomed fairways and greens.

The scenic beauty and the fact that the land borders one of the most precious wetlands and aviary reserves in the states—the Batiquitos Lagoon – resulted in the golf course taking nearly a decade to complete. The designer’s ecological concerns and the care taken to preserve the natural wetlands is still in evidence. Even today the course uses recycled water for 95 percent of its irrigation needs. The message is clear – with a little planning, animals of the human and non-human kind can function together in noninvasive harmony.

So what is the course like to play?

Golfers need to know that wind can be a factor on this 700 yard, par-72 course, because an ocean breeze blows daily off the water. And there are several holes that possess a swirling wind due to the canyon type setting of the holes.

Most fairways, as well as most greens, are undulating bur forgiving. The fairways are wider than they look from the tees. The greens, however, although very large, incorporate many elevation changes throughout play and can be tough to read due to the elevation and undulation.

The golfer will need to watch out for water hazards that come into play on nine of the holes. Included in that nine are rock features with streams of water running through them. In fact, the course is deliberately sculpted around the natural topography with water hazards positioned as visual extensions of the lagoon. Sand bunkers are present on every hole – some fairway, some greenside and both on most.

Instead of ladies’ tees, Aviara has forward tees (5,007 yards) for women, seniors and novices.

The head golf pro advises the first time player to be very patient. “One key to your round is to use the pin placement sheet that is put out on each of our golf carts daily. A yardage guide is available. The greens are easy to hit but once on the green the golfer’s work has just begun.”

As he says, “The entire golf course is fun to play and not overwhelming. Each hole has its own characteristics being both interesting and unique.”

What more could a golfer ask for?

Golf packages include a round of golf for two, deluxe accommodations, use of golf cart and driving range and valet parking.

Golf facilities include putting and pitching greens, driving range and two-storey Spanish colonial clubhouse of 32,000 square feet with men’s and women’s locker facilities, restaurant, lounge and golf shop. The Aviara Golf Academy holds 3 and 4 day golf schools.

When not golfing, the visitor can enjoy several nearby towns, including Carlsbad, known as the “Village by the Sea” and named for a famous spa in Karlsbad, Bohemia because of the similarity of their mineral waters. Other towns include Encinitas—“Flower Capital of the World”, Del Mar – the celebrity playground, San Diego and La Jolla – home to countless quaint shops and galleries.

Aviara is located at 7100 Four Seasons Point, Carlsbad CA 92009.

Website: http://www.fourseasons.com/aviara/golf.html